Help others by posting YOUR MAGIC MOVE

[Stacey_E]

Thanks to all for viewing, and more so for anyone willing to post advice. I started this thread in hopes that those from pros to 36 handicaps might find that one nugget of information that could turn their swing and scores for the better.

I have recently found MY magic move. It’s not one that would work for every golfer. It may not help any golfer. And most importantly, I admit it may not be sound advice. But it works for me, and I have the scorecards to prove it.

But most importantly, let me say I do not believe there is one magic move - that one little action that would help all golfers regardless of swing type, ability, swing plane, etc. But my hope in this post, and for the following replies, is to let everyone of all skill levels post a short and succinct swing thought (not extensive lessons or theories) that might help any number of people in their search for lower scores. Many will post ideas conflicting with others. Hopefully this will not turn into a battle of theories or egos. But YOUR magic move may be just the thing to help that newbie get the ball in the air, or the scratch golfer remember a fundamental he or she has long forgotten. Thanks in advance for any participation on your part. It is my firm belief that the golfing community could benefit from your advice.

MY MAGIC MOVE:
On the driving range I would often notice myself spinning out of a shot with a hosel rocket shank. As a feel player who loathes multiple swing thoughts, I was looking for one focal point to help me stay in the shot and stay focused enough to consistently hit the golf shots I knew I was capable of. Although keeping the head down is not bad advice, I think keeping the spine angle is truly the crux of this maxim. I was immediately able to stay in the shot, stay on the ball and strike with authority and confidence once I began to…..

TURN THE SHOULDERS UNDER, NOT AROUND YOUR CHIN, AND FEEL LIKE YOU'RE STRIKING THE BALL WITH YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER.

Simple enough, but it has improved my average score 4 strokes in a month. I honestly feel like I can place the ball wherever I want now.

[JackieTreehorn]

SWING AND PRETEND YOUR RIGHT ARM IS DEAD AND LIFELESS.
Take your R thumb off the club and point it in the air if that helps.

[gbk56]

I have a swaying problem so I always try to remember that my sholder should only move to rotate and not move laterally (helps me stay centered and balanced).

[Harry Longshanks]

Well, I won't disclose the entire progression of my move, but I will tell you that it can end with a pinch, but I prefer to end with a clockwise swirl.

[wrx_junki]

Practice chipping with right hand only. Was eating a bagel in my left hand while chipping and it was sad to say better than my regular chipping lol. Chipping feel was much better during that day's round.

[ks8829]

keep my right elbow tuck against my body for a once piece take away until the club is parallel to the ground and then break my wrist and make my full swing. This move puts me in my slot so that I can uncoil and hit the ball solid producing the click sound of the ball making contact with the club.

effortless, consistent contact of my irons that has produce lots of confidence.

[kehanra99]

Thanks to all for viewing, and more so for anyone willing to post advice. I started this thread in hopes that those from pros to 36 handicaps might find that one nugget of information that could turn their swing and scores for the better.

The last time I was at the range, 2 days ago, I noticed the same thing. I was getting tremendous distance (150 with my 9i and carrying 215+ with m 3i.) but I was mixing in alot of pushes falling short and pulls getting even more distance. However, when I started making sure of my shoulder turn (indirectly the spine angle) I was hitting with good distance and getting the accuracy that should accompany. I was even able to work the ball depending on how far forward or back it was in my stance. Hopefully the swing stays with me.

[Ben]

Don't think about mechanics. Concentrate on tempo.

If anything at all I think about firing my left hip to initiate my downswing. Anything else is to much of a conscious thought.

[tm22721]

Complete the backswing for better tempo and consistency.

[pjsnyc]

Well, I won't disclose the entire progression of my move, but I will tell you that it

hahaha, awesome!

my main problem is i CANT get those demons out of my head, so i TRY to occupy my mind with two thoughts - tempo and pretending theres a towel rolled up and tucked underneath my right armpit (not to the point where your elbow is attached to your hip, but slightly away from it at all times until the release).

[$2 Nassau]

Don't think about mechanics. Concentrate on tempo.

As a +0.6 you are probably solid mechanics-wise...but what about for us hacks?

Can you think back to when you were a 13 handicap? Did you still only think about tempo? I try not to think about mechanical things on the course...but they creep in every once in a while.

[realed]

I initiate my swing by cocking my wrists and keep my swing wide on the takeaway with minimal movement in the hips. If I think about doing this before I swing, I stay pretty consistent not allowing myself to get lazy during a round where I end up just swinging more with my arms than with a full shoulder turn.

[TCCcaddie]

At adress, if you are a righty, take your right forearm and turn it clockwise so that your elbow is paralell with the ground while keeping your wrist and grip the same on the club, really helps. If you are a lefty its your left arm.

[Ben]

As a +0.6 you are probably solid mechanics-wise...but what about for us hacks?

Yeah, that's a valid point, but, I'll say this. I was not then, where I am today because I did think about too much. This and that. Left arm here, wrist at the top there. At the 13 you are now, I'm guessing you have a pretty decent, repeatable swing. That, some confidence, course management, temper control and making more putts is what will take your game to a new place. Not swing mechanics.

[MPS67]

Working on my footwork has helped me with the follwing:

1) Weight shift Improvement.

2) Getting my upper torso and connection into a late hitting position where I have sufficient club lag left for the club head release.

Kevin Scheller sums it up with the following links:

Weight at set up
Weight shift in the back swing
Weight shift during the transition
Weight shift during the downswing
Weight shift during the follow through

[MonkeyClaw]

I've been working on my 1-plane swing mechanics. My latest magic move is 'opening the barn door' - clearing the hips by thinking about rotating them like they are hinged on the right side. This keeps everything above more in line for a better rotation.

My magic thought is to relax. I'm swinging a club, not hitting a ball - it's just in the way. I've found that the harder I try to hit the ball, the worse my accuracy gets and shorter my shots. I'm also a lot more sore the next day.

Now I just have to translate this into scoring on the course! I've only played 5 rounds so far... hoping to break 100 this weekend.

[thumper07]

my secret is keeping my left hand under my right one (not getting stupid flat) and keeping my left foot in front of my right one (balance).

-matt

[osean79]

My magic move is a deliberate weight shift to the right foot instep on the backswing and a shift to the left foot instep on the forward swing. Limits any lateral movement of the hips and insures a crisp clean contact with the ball. Gained 15 yds on all my clubs with a nice 5 yd high_flighted draw. It feels like every movement in my swing is now being directed solely by all the muscles on the inner (center) facing part of my body. If my weight shift gets past the instep of either foot, i noticed much shorter and poorer shots.

The first round i played after practicing this on the range a couple of times, i shot a 80 at Bethpage Red from back tees (7100 yds). Almost got a HIO, passed the hole by an inch and stopped 2 feet away hitting from 180yds out with a 6 iron. I used to grab a 5 or 4 iron for this hole before...

Hopefully this stays with me, i've broken 80 for the first time on a relatively short course on the second round (last week) after this revelation. I do notice sore muscles on my inner thighs and inner part of the left shoulder muscle now. Hope this helps someone!!